Obituary of James Stanley Horrick

JAMES STANLEY HORRICK

June 14, 1940 –January 1, 2021

Jim died peacefully in the early hours of New Year’s Day at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, from complications of Crohn’s/Colitis, his beloved wife, Marion, at his side.

He was predeceased by his sister, Annabella Koshelowsky of Montreal, and survived by his brother Robert Horrick of Winnipeg, and his former wife, Gail Horrick, of Toronto.  Deeply saddened by his loss are daughters Pamela (Richard Owen), Marilyn (Andre Fingerle), and Marion’s daughter Joyce (Nathan Fisher). He was a much-loved Grandad to Emma, Joanna, Alex, Jack, Gordon and Duncan.

Born in Montreal to Stanley and Anne Horrick (née Lukian), Jim faced an extraordinary challenge when he contracted rheumatic fever at age eight and was hospitalized for one year. Treatment included complete bed rest and visits from his parents were limited to once a week. Surviving this ordeal inspired him to make a success of his life.  He attended the High School of Montreal, and was a keen athlete, playing hockey and football, which he coached later in life. He loved the popular music of his teenage years and played bass in an amateur rock band ‘Del Rio Combo’, appearing at weekend dances in clubs in the Montreal area.

Following studies at Sir George Williams University, Jim began his insurance career in 1960 at The Marine Office of America as an underwriter, moving to insurance broking with Reed Shaw McNaught in 1966.  Relocating from Montreal to Toronto in 1980, in 1988 he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Reed Stenhouse Companies Limited (now Aon Canada Inc.) and in 1997 he also became Chairman of the company. He was a member of the Insurance Brokers’ Associations of Ontario and Quebec and was awarded an Honorary Chartered Insurance Professional degree by the Insurance Institute of Canada for services to the industry.  Retiring after a 40-year career, in 2001 Jim and Marion embarked on a new life in Victoria, B.C.  Many happy times were spent hosting family and friends in their new house by the ocean in Oak Bay, and the happy arrival of grandchildren prompted a return to Toronto in 2005.

Jim was fun-loving with a great sense of humour and seemingly endless stories from the adventures of his youth in Montreal and life in business. He was outgoing and made many good friends all around the world over the course of his long career. He was a generous man who loved bringing children and grandchildren together for winter vacations in Florida and California, and particularly enjoyed reconnecting in recent years in Palm Desert, California, with former colleagues and friends.

A private family service will be held on Friday, January 8.  The service will be live streamed and also available to be viewed post service.  Please refer to the funeral home website for the streaming link.  

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made if desired in Jim’s memory to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.